American Indian tribes had occupied the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains for generations.
European control of these lands was claimed first by France in the seventeenth century. France and Great Britain both sought control over the rich fur trade in the area.
American Indians supplied furs in trade for goods--metal pots, European glass beads, cloth for clothing or warm blankets, etc. Indians prized guns and black powder above all for trade.
The power struggle between France and Great Britain led to the French and Indian War (1754-1763). During the war, Indians were torn in their allegiance. The Treaty of Paris--February 10, 1763--gave the victorious British control of Canada, most land east of the Mississippi River, and the vast and lucrative fur trade.
225th Anniversary Exhibit
- Home
- Under Many Nations
- American Revolution in the East
- American Revolution in the West
- Clark Goes West
- Year of the "Bloody Sevens"
- Clark's Daring Plan
- The Campaign Begins
- Taking Kaskaskia
- Taking Cahokia
- Taking Fort Sackville
- Peace with the Indians
- The British Retake Fort Sackville
- Clark Learns about Hamilton's Move
- March to Vincennes - February 5, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 15, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 17, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 22, 1779
- March to Vincennes - February 23, 1779 - The Dry Ground
- March to Vincennes - February 23, 1779 - Warriors Island
- March to Vincennes - February 23, 1779 - Clark Attacks the Fort
- The Fort under Siege - February 24, 1779
- Terms of Surrender Determined - February 24, 1779
- Clark and the End of the American Revolution
- Clark after the American Revolution
- Plat of Clark's Grant
- Additional Aspects of Clark's Life and Work
- Clark's Death
- Celebrating Clark
- Note on the Sources
- Who's Who
- Timeline
- Exhibit Bibliography
- Contributing Organizations